New Jersey residents are frustrated by the lack of answers about dozens of potential drone sightings over their homes and are threatening to take their own action if the government doesn't start providing answers. There is.
Jersey Shore real estate agent James Ward shared a video on Facebook on Sunday showing an “SUV-sized drone” over Island Beach State Park. In images where there are many lights floating in the sky, it is difficult to judge their size.
The caption reads, “Dozens of SUV-sized drones flying in all directions.” “They appear at the same time, fly over the ocean, and then head in different directions. What do you think?”
One commenter responded, “A good shotgun would solve that problem.”
New Jersey drone sightings: military analyst shoots down national security concerns, suspects hobbyists were involved
This photo provided by Brian Glenn shows what appears to be multiple drones flying over Bernardsville, New Jersey on December 5, 2024. (Brian Glenn/TMX via AP, File)
“Why didn't anyone shoot it down, look up the serial number, and get to the pilot?” another person wrote. “I think that will give you a hint.”
“Semi-auto 3 inch Magnum 00 buck full choke!” yet another person replied.
Experts have warned that it is usually illegal to shoot down drones flying over a property. The Federal Aviation Administration told Forbes in 2016 that shooting down a drone is illegal under the same federal law that prohibits interfering with other aircraft.
FAA regulations also prohibit unsafe or unauthorized operation of aircraft, whether manned or not.
Talk of taking matters into their own hands comes after Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and two Republican lawmakers called on the federal government to shoot down unidentified drones in the area. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been demanding answers from investigators and regulators for weeks.
FBI director says he's 'concerned' how little FBI officials know about mysterious drones seen over New Jersey
The origin of the drones remains a mystery, and it is not even clear that the flying objects are all drones and not manned aircraft. Experts say navigation lights are a big clue that pilots aren't trying to hide them.
“After reviewing the available images, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually legally operating manned aircraft,” said White House National Security and Public Affairs Advisor John Kirby. he told reporters on Thursday.
However, many reported sightings are of objects that witnesses say appear larger than a typical retail drone, such as the one seen over Island Beach State Park.
Mysterious drone sightings continue to be reported in New Jersey
An Army spokesperson told FOX News Digital that Picatinny requested and was granted a temporary flight restriction in the airspace until Dec. 26 after numerous reports of sightings of unmanned aircraft in the area. Ta.
Image taken from the Bayshore area of Toms River. What appears to be a large drone hovers over the area at high altitude in New Jersey on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
The FAA said it was investigating the reported sighting and also issued temporary flight restrictions for the airspace around Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.
“We investigate all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigate as appropriate,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Drone operators who engage in dangerous maneuvers that endanger other aircraft or people on the ground could be fined up to $75,000. Additionally, the drone operator’s pilot license could be suspended. Or you can cancel it.”
“It's actually a crime to shoot down an aircraft,” said James McDonalls, program chair for the Sonoran Desert Institute's Unmanned Technology School. “In the past, there have been many people who took matters into their own hands and shot down drones, most of them in small areas, even small drones, for which they received fines and prison sentences. .”
WATCH: New Jersey lawmaker slams officials for dismissing Iranian drone speculation
Residents and state officials have been demanding answers for weeks, since sightings first began to increase in mid-November.
Republican state Sen. Joe Pennacchio sent a letter to President-elect Trump urging the incoming administration to prioritize investigating the matter.
“Local, county, and state law enforcement officials are working diligently to find answers,” he wrote. “Without these answers, we don't know if our state's citizens are safe. Unfortunately, they rely on federal security agencies for answers and direction. To this day, nearly a month after the first sighting, federal There has been no response from the government.”
White House says most of Jersey's 'drone' sightings are legally operated manned aircraft
In this image taken from a video provided by MartyA45, multiple drones appear to fly over Randolph, New Jersey on December 4, 2024. (via MartyA45/TMX AP, file)
In Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he expected a confidential briefing on the drone mystery on Thursday.
FBI leaders gave little response during a hearing earlier this week.
Asked whether Americans were “at risk,” Robert Wheeler, deputy director of the FBI's Major Incident Response Group, told Congress, “There is nothing known that would compel us to say that. We just don't know, and that's worrying.” part. “
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
A hearing involving the FBI and other law enforcement agencies earlier this week left state lawmakers so frustrated that state Rep. Brian Bergen stormed out of the meeting. Tell NewsNation It was “the biggest waste of five hours of my life.”
“We don't know where the drones are coming from, we don't know who's doing it, we don't know why they're doing it,” he said. “But they said, 'There's no credible threat.' It was a nuisance to be there.”
According to governor murphythere were 49 drone reports on Sunday alone, most of them in Hunterdon County.
A map showing drone sightings around New Jersey. (Fox News)
In Southern California, federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced the arrest of a Chinese national accused of using a hacked drone to take photos of Vandenberg Space Force Base from a mile up.
“This defendant allegedly flew a drone over a military base and took photos of its layout, which is a violation of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “The safety of our nation is of paramount importance, and my office will continue to promote the safety of our nation's service members and facilities.”
Impiao Chow, 39, was arrested on Monday, more than a week after drone detection equipment detected the intrusion. It's unclear if this incident is related to the New Jersey sighting, and residents are demanding answers.
FOX News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
